Simpson University Students Help with MLK Jr. Day Ceremony
For Immediate Release
01.20.2016
Photo courtesy Lynn Fritz / Simpson University students Jasmine Holmes, left, and Megan Ayala, center, join Lynn Fritz, MLK Jr. Day event coordinator, outside Old City Hall in Redding.
REDDING, Calif. - Two Simpson University students helped pass out bells during Redding’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Jan. 18.
Jasmine Holmes, a junior liberal studies major, and Megan Ayala, a senior psychology major, both from Sacramento, assisted event coordinator Lynn Fritz at the bell-ringing ceremony outside Old City Hall on Market Street.
Dignitaries representing law enforcement, the governments of the cities of Redding and Anderson, Shasta County and Redding Rancheria spoke of the significance of Dr. King's work.
Also speaking were representatives from the Shasta County Interfaith Forum, Local Indians for Education, Shasta County Citizens Advocating Respect, NAACP, ACLU, Record Searchlight, and the Shasta County Multicultural Board, which hosts the event each year. In addition, Simpson University Executive Vice President Brad Williams offered remarks about the legacy of Dr. King's life and words.
Those gathered dedicated a moment of silence in honor of Isaac Lowe, a local civil rights activist who worked courageously to ensure Dr. King's vision and dream was honored locally. Lowe passed away Dec. 30 at age 94.
At 9 a.m., the historic Old City Hall tower bell was sounded in honor of Dr. King. It was rung by Lowe’s great-grandson, also named Isaac. Outside, more than 50 attendees rang handbells.
Other events honoring Dr. King, including a march from the Shasta County Courthouse to the MLK Jr. Center, took place throughout the day. Many volunteers, local businesses and agencies made the day's events possible.
-Adapted from a press release by Lynn Fritz, a licensed marriage and family therapist
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Simpson University, established in 1921, is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. The university celebrated its 25th year in Redding and the completion of a Science and Nursing Center in 2014. Academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults with both on-campus and online course offerings, including degrees in psychology and organizational leadership. For information about the university, or to arrange a campus visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.
Contact: SU Public Relations
mediarelations@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4737
